Management of Structural Funds The Austrian Approach Belgrade, June 23, 2011 Markus Gruber

S. 2 Convelop Research, Development and Consultancy Innovation & Regional Policy Organisational Development Focus: Structural Funds First Strategic Report for Austria on the Implementation of EU-Cohesion Policy Drawing a balance: Structural Funds in AUT

S. 3 Institutional Framework in Austria Federal State – Planning at 3 levels: Federal level Bundesländer (9) Communities (2.357) 8.2 Mio. Inhabitants Structural Funds National Strategic Reference Framework – STRAT.AT 25 Operational Programs: Bill. Euro SF A fairly good reputation & g ood absorption rates, good organised

S. 4 Four points to be highlighted 1.Division between strategic and operativ tasks -- > Agencification 2.Balance between formalization and informal coordination 3.Active management of project pipeline / implementation 4.Focus on communication (horizontal, vertical) -- > ÖROK, STRAT.ATplus

S. 5 Four points to be highlighted 1.Division between strategic and operativ tasks -- > Agencification

S. 6 Political evel: Objectives, Strategies Managing authorities (governmental departement) Public Agencies (intermediate bodies) Project selection based on support schemes & selection criteria Political level is responsible for Objectives, overall strategy and financial framework Approval of OP at national/regional level Political level is responsible for Objectives, overall strategy and financial framework Approval of OP at national/regional level MA: Overall responsibility for programme preparation and implementation (governmental departements) Managing authorities enter into a contract with Public Agencies for implementation of OP at measure level MA: Overall responsibility for programme preparation and implementation (governmental departements) Managing authorities enter into a contract with Public Agencies for implementation of OP at measure level

S. 7 Political evel: Objectives, Strategies Managing authorities (governmental departement) Public Agencies (intermediate bodies) Project selection based on support schemes & selection criteria Public Agencies are responsible for OP implementation at measure level Federal (selection): Austrian Agency for Research Promotion Austrian economic promotiona agency Communal Public Consulting Länder: e.g. Styrian economic promotion agency Public Agencies are responsible for OP implementation at measure level Federal (selection): Austrian Agency for Research Promotion Austrian economic promotiona agency Communal Public Consulting Länder: e.g. Styrian economic promotion agency Agency are autonomous & independent in project decisions Project selection is based on committed support schemes and criteria (national + SF) Agencies are supervised by Committees/Boards Agencies are working for national policy implementation (federal & regional level) and Structural Funds Agency are autonomous & independent in project decisions Project selection is based on committed support schemes and criteria (national + SF) Agencies are supervised by Committees/Boards Agencies are working for national policy implementation (federal & regional level) and Structural Funds

S. 8 Agencification Reduces political influence on operative level / project decisions etc. Funding decisions are based on aggreed support schemes and criteria which are linked to the OP Final approval of projects decisions  boards of the Agencies (often economic and social partners are included) Agencies are controlled internally, by boards and by courts of Auditors + evaluated Important: Agencies are responsible for implementation of both: national policy instruments and Structural Funds measures – No parallel SF-Structure is established

S. 9 Four points to be highlighted 1.Division between strategic and operativ tasks -- > Agencification 2.Balance between formalization and informal coordination

S. 10 Balance between formalization and informal coordination Contracts between MA & Public Agencies Certifying and Audit authority (Federal Chancellery) Rules on eligible costs Common ERDF data monitoring system (ATMOS) Monitoring committees ÖROK coordination platform & joint secretariat for MCs

S. 11 ÖROK coordination platform & joint secretariat for MCs ÖROK: coordination platform

S. 12 Formal and informal structures – not only for SF implementation ÖROK Informal cooperation network: crucial for success Source: BKA, ÖROK European Commission Managing Authorities Certifying and (federal or Länder) Audit Authorities (federal level) Joint Monitoring Intermediate Bodies (Agencies federal or Länder) Intermediate Bodies (Agendcies federal or Länder) Intermediate Bodies (Agencies federal or Länder) Formal responsibilities

S. 13 Four points to be highlighted 1.Division between strategic and operativ tasks -- > Agencification 2.Balance between formalization and informal coordination 3.Active management of project pipeline/ implementation

S. 14 companies R&D organisations municipalities Pro-active Project development Pro-active Project development Regional Management: Project development and co-ordination at „sub- regional“ level Active management of project pipeline at the ground Political level: Objectives, Strategies Managing authorities Public Agencies Project selection

S. 15 Four points to be highlighted 1.Division between strategic and operativ tasks -- > Agencification 2.Balance between formalization and informal coordination 3.Active management of project pipeline/ implementation 4.Focus on communication (horizontal, vertical) -- > ÖROK, STRAT.ATplus

S. 16 “STRAT.ATplus Monitoring Process”

S. 17 Four points to be highlighted 1.Division of tasks between strategic and operativ tasks -- > Agencification 2.balanced system between formal rules and informal coordination 3.Active management of project pipeline at the ground Pro active project development Regional level: Organisations for project stimulation & development 4.Focus on communication -- > ÖROK, STRAT.ATplus

S. 18 Coordination strategic programme measure project Programmes Monitoring & financial control Monitoring & financial control Political level: Objectives, Strategies Managing Authorities Agencies (intermediate bodies) Project selection based on support schemes & selection criteria companies R&D organisations municipalities ÖROK Joint Secretariat For MCs Incl. economic and social partners Monitoring committee incl. NGO, economic and social partners Certifying and Audit authority (Federal Chancellery) NGO, economic and social partners National: court of auditors EC DG Regio Level Task Joint ERDF- Monitoring

S. 19 Coordination strategic programme measure project Programmes Monitoring & financial control Monitoring & financial control Political level: Objectives, Strategies Managing Authorities Agencies (intermediate bodies) Project selection based on support schemes & selection criteria companies R&D organisations municipalities ÖROK Joint Secretariat For MCs Incl. economic and social partners Monitoring committee incl. NGO, economic and social partners Certifying and Audit authority (Federal Chancellery) NGO, economic and social partners National: court of auditors EC DG Regio Level Task Joint ERDF- Monitoring

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